Pavakkai Pitlai / Bitter Gourd Curry

Bitter Gourd also called bitter melon has huge range of medicinal properties. majorly used to control diabetes, cleanses the stomach ( if you have worms) . Most of us are qutie aware of these facts, this particular recipe that i adapted from my mom's kitchen gives a varied flavour of slight bitterness with a tangy taste.

Preparation Time : 15 Minutes

Cooking Time : 15 Minutes

Serves : 4

Ingredients : 

Bitter Gourd - 2 Small Sized - cut in to round slices

Toor Dal - 1/2 cup - Boiled and mashed

Peanuts - 1/4 cup - Boiled

Tamarind - 1 Lemon sized - pulped

Green Chilly - 1

Sambhar Powder - 1 teaspoon

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Jaggery - 1 teaspoon

Mustard - 1 teaspoon

Urad Dal - 1 teaspoon

Asafoedita - a pinch

Curry leaves - 7 to 10

Oil

Salt

To Grind

Coconut - 3 table spoon

Red Chilli - 2 

Coriander Seeds - 2  teaspoons

Method :

Rub sliced bitter gourd with salt and keep it aside for half an hour . Later Squeeze and pressure cook for just one whistle . Now heat a pan, pour 2 tbps of oil, add mustard let it splutter, then add  urad dal, curry leaves and slit green chilli, saute for half a minute. Now add asafoedita and the pressure cooked bitter gourd. Add the tamarind pulp, sambar powder and turmeric powder. Leave it to boil on medium flame for 4 minutes. Later add the cooked toor dal,peanuts, jaggery, salt and the coconut paste. Add some water if required . Let it cook for 5 more minutes. The gravy should be little thick.Serve hot with rice or rotis !!!

Luv

Lavanya :)